Reinforcement of concrete steps or curbs



Get. 19, 1937. E. BONASI REINFORCEMENT OF CONCRETE STEPS OR CURBS Filed Dec. 18, 1956 INVENfiOR 'fi/v-s 7 50/1/15 ATTORNEY Patented a. 19, 1937 UNITED STATES REINFORCEMENT OF CONCRETE STEPS OR CURBS Ernest Bonasi, Philadelphia, Pa.

Application December 18, 1936, Serial No. 116,499

2 Claims.

My invention relates to improvements in reinforced concrete steps or curbing and has for its primary object the provision of a rigid metal frame work within the said steps or curbing in order that the one or the other can accept the shocks and concussions that arise from the present day trafiic conditions. The ordinary curbing, because of the parking of automobiles adjacent to it, very soon'breaks and crumbles away leaving a somewhat unserviceable and unsightly residue.

Another object of my invention is to facilitate the laying of curbing or steps by linking together in a simple manner various units of the metallic reinforcement.

For the purpose of illustrating this invention there is shown in the accompanying drawing one form thereof which is at present preferred, since the same has been found in practice to give satisfactory and reliable results, although it is to be understood that the various instrumentalities of which this invention consists can be variously arranged and organized and that this invention is not limited to the precise arrangement and organization of the instrumentalities as herein shown and described.

In the accompanying drawing:

Fig. 1 is a transverse sectional View of a concrete block, in which the reinforcement is mounted.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the reinforcement mounted in an indicated concrete block.

Referring to the drawing in which similar reference numerals indicate corresponding parts, A is a reinforcing unit which consists of two or more lo-nigtudinal members I and I that extend the entire length of the concrete block 13, be it a step or a curb, an inch or two behind the riser l of the block B. Upright rods 2 are either precast with or fabricated with or I suitably joined to the horizontal members i and I. The upright rods 2 also lie one or two inches behind the face of the riser 'l and terminate, at their inner ends, in short members 3 bent at right angles to the rods 2. The ends of the members the just beneath the surface of the riser I. At their upper end, the vertical rods 2 are bent inwardly at right angles as indicated in the members 4. The members 4 extend in a horizontal plane through the material of the block and lie approximately one or two inches below the surface of the tread 6. Thus, the entire unit A consists of the horizontal members i and I to which are joined suitably the vertical rods 2 with their ends 3 and 4 extending in opposite directions in a horizontal plane. The ends of the horizontal members I and I are provided with hooks 5 in order to facilitate the engagement of the unit A with another unit A and thus continue the linking together of various units until the entire step or curb has been properly reinforced along its entire length. Although the invention is characterized by simplicity, yet, the ease with which the various reinforcing units can be attached marks a distinct advance in the preparation of curbing or steps that are ordinarily subjected to hard usage.

The manner in which the unit can be employed becomes obvious from the foregoing description. Various units are laid end to end and the mixture of concrete is poured into the sustaining forms in order to make the step or curb. When the step or curb is thus reinforced it is evident that shocks directed against the riser can be readily withstood, and, furthermore, the pressure or concussion that may be applied to the tread can likewise be withheld.

Although this invention in its present embodiment applies more specifically to the reinforcement of steps and curbing, yet, its application to concrete objects of a more varied character can be made with little modification.

I am aware that the invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof; accordingly I desire the present embodiment to be considered in all respects as illustrative and restrictive, reference being directed to the appended claims rather than to the foregoing description to indicate the scope of the invention.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A metallic unit for reinforcing concrete steps, comprising attached horizontal and vertical members positioned in the rear of the front 'face of a solid riser of said steps, said vertical members adapted to be bent outwardly at their lower end and tolie horizontally in the rear of said front face of said solid riser and adapted to be bent horizontally at their upper end and to lie horizontally beneath the tread of said steps, and said horizontal members hooked at their ends for the purpose of attachment to other units.

2. A metallic unit for reinforcing concrete curbs. comprising attached horizontal and vertical members positioned in the rear of the front face of a solid riser of said curbs, said vertical members adapted to be bent outwardly at their lower end and to lie horizontally in the rear of said front face of said solid riser and adapted to be bent horizontally at their upper end and to lie horizontally beneath the tread of said curbs,

and said horizontal members hooked at their ends for the purpose of attachment to other units.

ERNEST BONASI. 

